But those who frequent the Oakwood Heights VFW Post 9587 likely cringe when they see it forecast. That's because their meeting site becomes lakefront property when the skies open up. In fact, rainy conditions produce such a severe ponding situation at the corner of Mill Road and Aviston Street that some serious wading is required for anyone needing access to the building.

"The water is from the corner to halfway up the block," said John Wetmore, 70, a New Dorp resident and U.S. Navy veteran (1959-1962) who has been a member of the post since 1972, and taking care of its grounds for about 30 years.

"If you go to Google Earth right now, you can actually see the lake - and my car is there, too, parked right in front of the building," he added.

The "lake" also presents a potential hazard for members of the Staten Island Blind Society, who meet bi-monthly at the post, Wetmore noted.

WATER-LOGGED

The area has experienced drainage problems for years, but the situation was exacerbated "when they built townhouses across the street from us, three or four years ago," Wetmore said, explaining that the homes were built on higher ground, which was formerly a woodsy, swampy area that absorbed heavy rainfalls. "Now, the water has nowhere to go, and it comes into the street and on our property.

"Now, the lake is on the sidewalk, too."

Another problem is the storm drain in front of the VFW post.

"It does not function," Wetmore said. "We think that maybe it's a dummy."

NO HELP FROM POLS

"We've been calling politicians, and 311," Wetmore said last Saturday. "The politicians all say that they will look into it, but we never hear anything. We're trying to get the politicians to get stuff going, and fix this problem."

Ironically, former Staten Island borough president Guy V. Molinari has been a member of this VFW post since the early 1980s, he noted.

"Tomorrow (Oct. 17), we are having a Chinese auction in the afternoon. I'm going to figure out how to build a bridge, with pallets, so people can get in the building," Wetmore said.